Seijigiri #43: Diplomatic Affairs, Fukuda’s Falling Approval Ratings, and “Gridlock” in the Diet
In this edition of Seijigiri, co-hosts Garrett DeOrio and Ken Worsley begin by (very) briefly noting that Japan’s sanctions against North Korea have been extended for six more months, before moving to discuss upcoming diplomatic events.
With Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda heading to Russia in early May, Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura is currently in Russia making preparations for that meeting. Once Komura returns from Russia, he will be visited by Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, who will head to Japan in order to plan for President Hu Jintao’s visit to Japan from May 6. The discussion focuses on what might be on the agendas as well as what, if any, breakthroughs might be made in terms of Japan-China relations.
After that, the discussion focuses on domestic political issues. Now that a Governor has been found for the Bank of Japan, our hosts look at how the process played out and why Fukuda continues to see his approval ratings slide. Why has the LDP been unable to work with the DPJ, when its stubborn insistence on pushing its own agenda seems to be costing it points with the public?
Finally, the question of replacing Fukuda is raised. A recent interview in the Nikkei with former Prime Minister Yashuhiro Nakasone hints that Fukuda does not have much time left. Our hosts speculate on whether Fukuda will last long enough to host the G-8 summit in July, or whether the LDP would be better off with a fresh face attending the meetings.
Once again, thank you for listening.
Related Posts:
- Seijigiri #41: The Budget is Passed, and Fukuda is Feeling the Pressure
- Seijigiri #24: Abe’s approval ratings bounce back, what’s being done in the Diet, and the foreign trainee program
- Seijigiri #25 - Abe, Pensions, Farmers, the Election, and the LDP Platform
- Abe approval rating tracker
- Seijigiri #44: The Gas Tax Vote, the LDP’s Trouble With Elderly Voters, the Olympic Torch Relay
